I know there are countless factors to consider, but what is the average lifespan of a male blackbird in the wild? My garden resident blackbird will be 6 years old this summer at the very youngest - I have photographic evidence of him being a fully grown adult in summer 2005, which means he was born in 2004 at the earliest (I know it's him because he has some very distinctive white feathers on his head) - he may have been around before that but that's when I got my camera, so no evidence from before then (and my memory isn't that good!).
I was just curious as to whether he's doing well, age-wise?
Here he is in a picture from a couple of years ago, he always looks scruffy but I love him :)
Great picture of your Blackbird, Anna. He looks a real character as they are.
How old does a Blackbird live - hard question! I think it is a lot to do with the health, hazards, environment, weather that affects the lifespan of a blackbird. There are so many obsticles that get in the way of any bird these days.
i have had one which lived to 3 years old and after I moved he lived on to see another day.
A friend told me she had one that lived to 7 years old.
Trochilus: I have heard of the age of a Blackbird going up to 20 years old. Must have been a well looked after one.
Regards
Kathy and Dave
The BTO's BirdFacts section is an excellent source of information on bird "statistics" - lots of blackbird info here:
http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob11870.htm
Hi Elibee
Thank you for the link
It stated 3 years is the lifespan of a Blackbird with BTO's 'up to date' information. Maximun 14 year 2 months
Hmm 3 years...I thought it was longer but there you go. They seen such successful birds, and have adapted well to environmental changes over the years.
Not many birds like to be in urban/city gardens as much as a Blackbird does, along with a friendly dispostion towards people too.
I have heards of people saying that Blackbirds behave like their domestic pets rather than a wild animal.
Interesting
Unknown said: The BTO's BirdFacts section is an excellent source of information on bird "statistics" - lots of blackbird info here: http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob11870.htm
Hi Kathy,
yes Blackbirds certainly seem to be characters don't they? As for people saying they're like their pets well that doesn't surprise me at all! They're like a bigger Robin in the sense that they're very happy around people.
I've never tried to befriend any of my Blackbirds like that as everywhere I go I have Bobby in tow and although most of the birds don't bother about me they're not so sure about him. Saying that most of the Blackbirds who come here ignore him.
I agree that we can just guess really at what age a Blackbird lives to, we see what the oldest ones have lived to but I'd say that wouldn't be like that in most places! They don't fall prey to Sparrowhawks around here so I'm guessing they'd have to be wary of cats and that's about it in the way of predators.
Other than "The Boss" who's been around for a while, I can't say I've ever had consistent regular Blackbirds other than her. Having said that though, if you're not paying too much attention its easy just to say "oh its a Blackbird" rather than "oh its so-and-so who's been coming here x years".
Sorry for rambling on!